U.S. patent application number 12/533833 was filed with the patent office on 2010-04-01 for liquid crystal display panel.
This patent application is currently assigned to EPSON IMAGING DEVICES CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Yasuhiro NAKANISHI, Shinichiro TANAKA.
Application Number | 20100079712 12/533833 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42057095 |
Filed Date | 2010-04-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100079712 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
TANAKA; Shinichiro ; et
al. |
April 1, 2010 |
LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY PANEL
Abstract
A liquid crystal display panel includes: a pair of substrates
which are opposed to each other; and a liquid crystal layer which
is interposed between the pair of substrates, wherein one of the
pair of substrates is provided with a plurality of scanning lines
and a plurality of signal lines which are arranged in a matrix
shape in a display area, lower electrodes which are each formed in
each of sub-pixel areas partitioned by the plurality of scanning
lines and the plurality of signal lines, an insulating film which
is formed in the display area so as to cover the lower electrodes,
upper electrodes which are formed in the display area through the
insulating film and each have a plurality of slits in each of the
sub-pixel area, and an alignment film which is formed on the upper
electrodes and slit-shaped openings close to the liquid crystal
layer, wherein the other of the pair of substrates is provided with
light-shielding films which are formed at locations overlapping
with the scanning lines and the signal lines in plan view, wherein
each of the upper electrodes overlaps with each of the
light-shielding films in at least a partial portion in plan view,
wherein each of the slit-shaped openings extends along any one of
the signal line or the scanning line and has a main portion
extending in an direction inclined at a predetermined angle with
respect to a rubbing direction of the alignment film and a front
end portion, and wherein an edge of the circumference of at least
one of the slit-shaped openings formed on both sides of the
light-shielding film so as to dispose the light-shielding film
therebetween in plan view does not overlap with the light-shielding
film disposed between the slit-shaped openings in plan view.
Inventors: |
TANAKA; Shinichiro;
(Tottori-shi, JP) ; NAKANISHI; Yasuhiro;
(Tottori-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OLIFF & BERRIDGE, PLC
P.O. BOX 320850
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22320-4850
US
|
Assignee: |
EPSON IMAGING DEVICES
CORPORATION
Azumino-Shi
JP
|
Family ID: |
42057095 |
Appl. No.: |
12/533833 |
Filed: |
July 31, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
349/123 ;
349/141 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02F 1/134363 20130101;
G02F 1/134372 20210101; G02F 1/133512 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
349/123 ;
349/141 |
International
Class: |
G02F 1/1337 20060101
G02F001/1337 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 29, 2008 |
JP |
2008-249785 |
Feb 10, 2009 |
JP |
2009-028195 |
Claims
1. A liquid crystal display panel comprising: a pair of substrates
which are opposed to each other; and a liquid crystal layer which
is interposed between the pair of substrates, wherein one of the
pair of substrates is provided with a plurality of scanning lines
and a plurality of signal lines which are arranged in a matrix
shape in a display area, lower electrodes which are each formed in
each of sub-pixel areas partitioned by the plurality of scanning
lines and the plurality of signal lines, an insulating film which
is formed in the display area so as to cover the lower electrodes,
upper electrodes which are formed in the display area through the
insulating film and each have a plurality of slits in each of the
sub-pixel area, and an alignment film which is formed on the upper
electrodes and slit-shaped openings close to the liquid crystal
layer, wherein the other of the pair of substrates is provided with
light-shielding films which are formed at locations overlapping
with the scanning lines and the signal lines in plan view, wherein
each of the upper electrodes overlaps with each of the
light-shielding films in at least a partial portion in plan view,
wherein each of the slit-shaped openings extends along any one of
the signal line or the scanning line and has a main portion
extending in an direction inclined at a predetermined angle with
respect to a rubbing direction of the alignment film and a front
end portion, and wherein an edge of the main portion of at least
one of the slit-shaped openings formed on both sides of the
light-shielding film so as to dispose the light-shielding film
therebetween in plan view does not overlap with the light-shielding
film disposed between the slit-shaped openings in plan view.
2. The liquid crystal display panel according to claim 1, wherein
in the slit-shaped openings formed on both the sides of the
light-shielding film so as to dispose the light-shielding film
therebetween in plan view, the edges of the main portions of the
slit-shaped openings do not overlap with the light-shielding film
in plan view.
3. The liquid crystal display panel according to claim 1, wherein
on the assumption that a relation of
0.degree.<.gamma.1<90.degree. is satisfied and an inclination
in one arbitrary direction is positive with respect to the rubbing
direction, the slit-shaped opening includes a first main portion
extending to be inclined at an angle +.gamma.1 and a second main
portion extending to be inclined at an angle -.gamma.1.
4. The liquid crystal display panel according to claim 3, wherein
on the assumption that a relation of
.gamma.1<.gamma.2<90.degree. is satisfied, the slit-shaped
opening further includes a third main portion extending to be
inclined at an angle +.gamma.2 with respect to the rubbing
direction and a fourth main portion extending to be inclined at an
angle -.gamma.2 with respect to the rubbing direction.
5. The liquid crystal display panel according to claim 1, wherein
on the assumption that a direction of the same inclination as that
of the main portion of the slit-shaped opening is positive with
respect to the rubbing direction, the front end portion of the
slit-shaped opening has a curve in which a direction of a tangent
line positive and a curve in which a direction of a tangent line
negative, wherein the length of the curve in which the direction of
the tangent line is negative is shorter than the length of the
curve in which the direction of the tangent line is the positive
direction, and wherein at least a part of the curve in which the
direction of the tangent line is negative overlaps with the
light-shielding film in plan view.
6. The liquid crystal display panel according to claim 1, wherein
the light-shielding film and the signal line or the light-shielding
film and the scanning line extend to be parallel to the edge of the
slit-shaped opening.
7. The liquid crystal display panel according to claim 1, wherein
the width of the upper electrode overlapping with the
light-shielding film is twice or less larger than the width of the
light-shielding film.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] The present invention relates to a transverse electric field
mode liquid crystal display panel. Specifically, the present
invention relates to a transverse electric mode liquid crystal
display panel in which slits of an upper electrode extends along a
signal line or a scanning line.
[0003] 2. Related Art
[0004] The liquid crystal display panel has been used as a display
unit in numerous electronic apparatuses since the liquid crystal
display panel has features such as lightness, thinness, low power
consumption in comparison to a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube). The liquid
crystal display panel is a device which displays an image in such a
manner that a direction of liquid crystal molecules aligned in a
predetermined direction by performing a rubbing process on an
alignment film is changed by an electric field and an amount of
transmitted light or an amount of reflected light is varied.
[0005] As a method of applying the electric field to a liquid
crystal layer of the liquid crystal display panel, there are a
longitudinal electric field mode and a transverse electric field
mode. The longitudinal electric field mode liquid crystal display
panel mainly applies an electric field oriented in a vertical
direction to liquid crystal molecules by a pair of electrodes
disposed with the liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween. As
the longitudinal electric field mode liquid crystal display panel,
there are known a TN (Twisted Nematic) mode liquid crystal display
panel, a VA (Vertical Alignment) mode liquid crystal display panel,
a MVA (Multi-domain Vertical Alignment) mode liquid crystal display
panel, and the like. In addition, the transverse electric field
mode liquid crystal display panel mainly applies an electric field
oriented in a horizontal direction to liquid crystal molecules by
providing a pair of electrodes so as to be insulated from each
other in the inside of one of a pair of substrates disposed with a
liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween. As the transverse
electric field mode liquid crystal display panel, there are known
an IPS (In-Plane Switching) mode liquid crystal display panel in
which a pair of electrodes do not overlap with other in plan view
and a FFS (Fringe Field Switching) mode liquid crystal display
panel in which a pair of electrodes overlap with each other in plan
view. Since the transverse electric field mode liquid crystal
display panel has an advantage of realizing a wide viewing angle,
the transverse electric field mode liquid crystal display panel has
widely been used in recent years.
[0006] In the transverse electric field mode liquid crystal display
panel, slit-shaped openings extend so as to be slightly inclined in
a rubbing direction and the liquid crystal molecules rotate in the
same direction. In addition, in a color display liquid crystal
display panel, it is possible to reduce a variation in colors in
accordance with a viewing angle by realizing a multi-domain in
which an inclination angle of the slit-shaped openings is divided
into two positive and negative domains. However, an electric field
cannot be generated in a desired direction in both ends of the
slit-shaped openings. Therefore, when the slit-shaped openings
extending in different directions are separated, an aperture ratio
is reduced. Accordingly, the multi-domain having a high aperture
ratio is realized by connecting the slit-shaped openings extending
in the different directions to each other.
[0007] In the color display liquid crystal display panel, however,
three sub-pixels of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) colors are
normally formed in line and each one pixel is formed by a
combination of the three sub-pixels. Since each one pixel normally
has a substantial square, each one sub-pixel has a vertically long
rectangle. Therefore, in the FFS mode liquid crystal display panel,
since an electric field cannot be formed in the desired direction
in both the ends of the slit-shaped openings provided in an upper
electrode, a method of reducing a reduction in the aperture ratio
by disposing the slit-shaped openings to extend in a vertical
direction has been considered. When the slit-shaped openings
extending in the different directions are connected to each other
and the slit-shaped openings are disposed to extend in the vertical
direction, the slit-shaped openings have a "<" shape (or a
chevron shape).
[0008] In the color display liquid crystal display panel, when the
slit-shaped opening of the sub-pixel having the vertically long
rectangle is formed in the "<" shape, an area where no
slit-shaped opening exits is broadened in upper and lower portions
of the sub-pixel, thereby deteriorating the aperture ratio. In
order to solve this problem, a liquid crystal display panel which
has a zigzag shape formed by connecting a plurality of the
slit-shaped openings having the "<" shape to each other is
disclosed in FIG. 68 of JP-A-2002-14374. In addition, a liquid
crystal display panel which has the "<" shape formed by matching
a signal line to the slit-shaped opening, that is, the "<" shape
bent by matching the shape of the sub-pixel in a lengthwise
direction to the slit-shaped opening is disclosed in FIG. 28 of
JP-A-2008-70838.
[0009] In recent years, there has been devised a FFS mode liquid
crystal display panel in which a lower electrode operates as a
pixel electrode and an upper electrode operates as a common
electrode by forming an inter-electrode insulating film on the
lower electrode and forming the upper electrode having slit-shaped
openings on the surface of the inter-electrode insulating film
across all the sub-pixels. Since the FFS mode liquid crystal
display panel having this configuration has an advantage of
considerably improving brightness and contrast, the FFS mode liquid
crystal display panel has been applied to a device which includes a
slit-shaped opening having the "<" shape.
[0010] However, in this liquid crystal display panel, a way of
disposing the slit-shaped opening when the slit-shaped opening
having the "<" shape extending in the same direction as that of
a signal line in a light-shielding film (black matrix) of a color
filter substrate is formed in the upper electrode formed across the
signal lines is not taken into consideration. On the other hand, in
a liquid crystal display panel in which the upper electrode having
the slit-shaped opening is not formed across the signal line and
the upper electrode operates as a pixel electrode, the width of the
light-shielding film is equal to or larger than that of the signal
line. When a color filter substrate which includes the
light-shielding film having this configuration is applied to a
liquid crystal display panel in which the upper electrode operates
as a common electrode, and particularly, when the slit-shaped
opening is formed close to the signal line in order to make the
aperture ratio larger, a problem occurs in that a brightly
displayed region of the circumference of the slit-shaped opening is
shielded from light by the light-shielding film and thus brightness
deteriorates.
SUMMARY
[0011] An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it
provides a transverse electric field mode liquid crystal display
panel capable of preventing bright regions of the circumferences of
slit-shaped openings of an upper electrode formed across each
signal line from being shielded from light due to a light-shielding
film and capable of realizing a bright display.
[0012] According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a
liquid crystal display panel including: a pair of substrates which
are opposed to each other; and a liquid crystal layer which is
interposed between the pair of substrates, wherein one of the pair
of substrates is provided with a plurality of scanning lines and a
plurality of signal lines which are arranged in a matrix shape in a
display area, lower electrodes which are each formed in each of
sub-pixel areas partitioned by the plurality of scanning lines and
the plurality of signal lines, an insulating film which is formed
in the display area so as to cover the lower electrodes, upper
electrodes which are formed in the display area through the
insulating film and each have a plurality of slits in each of the
sub-pixel area, and an alignment film which is formed on the upper
electrodes and slit-shaped openings close to the liquid crystal
layer, wherein the other of the pair of substrates is provided with
light-shielding films which are formed at locations overlapping
with the scanning lines and the signal lines in plan view, wherein
each of the upper electrodes overlaps with each of the
light-shielding films in at least a partial portion in plan view,
wherein each of the slit-shaped openings extends along any one of
the signal line or the scanning line and has a main portion
extending in an direction inclined at a predetermined angle with
respect to a rubbing direction of the alignment film and a front
end portion, and wherein an edge of the main portion of at least
one of the slit-shaped openings formed on both sides of the
light-shielding film so as to dispose the light-shielding film
therebetween in plan view does not overlap with the light-shielding
film disposed between the slit-shaped openings in plan view.
[0013] In the liquid crystal display panel according to this aspect
of the invention, the edges of the circumferences of the
slit-shaped openings do not overlap with the light-shielding film
in plan view in a transverse electric field mode liquid crystal
display panel in which the lower electrodes operates as a pixel
electrode and the upper electrode operates as a common electrode.
In the transverse electric field mode liquid crystal display panel,
the vicinities of the edges of the slit-shaped openings are the
brightest and regions getting away from the edges become darker at
the drive time. Accordingly, in the liquid crystal display panel
according to this aspect of the invention, at least one among the
bright areas of the vicinities of the edges in the main portions of
the slit-shaped openings of the upper electrodes formed between the
signal lines can be prevented from being shielded from light by the
light-shielding film. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the
liquid crystal display panel realizing a bright display.
[0014] In the liquid crystal display panel according to this aspect
of the invention, the edges of the main portions of the slit-shaped
openings may not overlap with the light-shielding film in plan view
in the slit-shaped openings formed on both the sides of the
light-shielding film so as to dispose the light-shielding film
therebetween in plan view.
[0015] In the liquid crystal display panel according to this aspect
of the invention, the both of the bright areas of the
circumferences of the slit-shaped openings of the upper electrode
located on both sides of the light-shielding film are not shielded
from light by the light-shielding film. Therefore, it is possible
to obtain the liquid crystal display panel realizing a more bright
display.
[0016] In the liquid crystal display panel according to this aspect
of the invention, on the assumption that a relation of
0.degree.<.gamma.1<90.degree. is satisfied and an inclination
in one arbitrary direction is positive with respect to the rubbing
direction, the slit-shaped opening may include a first main portion
extending to be inclined at an angle +.gamma.1 and a second main
portion extending to be inclined at an angle -.gamma.1.
[0017] In the liquid crystal display panel according to this aspect
of the invention, since so-called two domains are formed in the
liquid crystal display panel, it is possible to obtain the liquid
crystal display panel reducing a color variation made in accordance
with a viewing angle.
[0018] In the liquid crystal display panel according to this aspect
of the invention, on the assumption that a relation of
.gamma.1<.gamma.2<90.degree. is satisfied, the slit-shaped
opening further may include a third main portion extending to be
inclined at an angle +.gamma.2 with respect to the rubbing
direction and a fourth main portion extending to be inclined at an
angle -.gamma.2 with respect to the rubbing direction.
[0019] In the liquid crystal display panel according to this aspect
of the invention, the slit-shaped openings formed in the upper
electrode have the double "<" shape. Accordingly, in the liquid
crystal display panel according to this aspect of the invention, a
ripple problem rarely occur when the surface of the liquid crystal
display panel is pressed, as well as obtaining the advantages of
those of the liquid crystal display panel.
[0020] In the liquid crystal display panel according to this aspect
of the invention, on the assumption that a direction of the same
inclination as that of the main portion of the slit-shaped opening
is positive with respect to the rubbing direction, the front end
portion of the slit-shaped opening may have a curve in which a
direction of a tangent line positive and a curve in which a
direction of a tangent line negative. The length of the curve in
which the direction of the tangent line is negative may be shorter
than the length of the curve in which the direction of the tangent
line is the positive direction. At least a part of the curve in
which the direction of the tangent line is negative may overlap
with the light-shielding film in plan view.
[0021] A reverse twist domain where a good image display cannot be
made occurs in the end portions of the slit-shaped openings. In the
liquid crystal display panel according to this aspect of the
invention, the length of the curve of the portion in which the
reverse twist domain occurs is made shorter. Therefore, since the
reverse twist domain in the end portions of the slit-shaped
openings can be made narrow, it is possible to obtain the liquid
crystal display panel capable of realizing a good display
quality.
[0022] In the liquid crystal display panel according to this aspect
of the invention, the light-shielding film and the signal line or
the light-shielding film and the scanning line may extend to be
parallel to the edge of the slit-shaped opening.
[0023] When the light-shielding film and the signal line extend or
the light-shielding film and the scanning line extend to be
parallel to the edge of the slit-shaped opening, an area which is
not used to make a display is reduced, compared to a case where the
light-shielding film and the signal line or the light-shielding
film and the scanning line are not parallel to the edge of the
slit-shaped opening. Moreover, when the light-shielding film and
the signal line extend or the light-shielding film and the scanning
line extend to be parallel to the edge of the slit-shaped opening,
a possibility of covering the vicinity of the brightest edge of the
slit-shaped opening with the light-shielding film and the signal
line or the light-shielding film and the scanning line is reduced
even in consideration of a manufacture error of the liquid crystal
display panel. Accordingly, in the liquid crystal display panel
according to this aspect of the invention, it is possible to
realize a large aperture ratio, a bright display, and a small
deviation in brightness.
[0024] In the liquid crystal display panel according to this aspect
of the invention, than the width of the upper electrode overlapping
with the light-shielding film may be twice or less larger the width
of the light-shielding film.
[0025] With such a configuration, the width of the upper electrode
in the formed portion of the light-shielding film can be set so as
to efficiently obtain a bright display.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] The invention will be described with reference to the
accompanying drawings, wherein like numbers reference like
elements.
[0027] FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating three sub-pixels of a
liquid crystal display panel according to a first embodiment.
[0028] FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line II-II of
FIG. 1.
[0029] FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line III-III of
FIG. 1.
[0030] FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line IV-IV of
FIG. 1.
[0031] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a rotation state of a
liquid crystal molecule in a slit-shaped opening of the liquid
crystal display panel according to the first embodiment.
[0032] FIG. 6A is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating
an alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules in a
cross-section direction of the liquid crystal molecules.
[0033] FIG. 6B is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating
a plane alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules.
[0034] FIG. 6C is an explanatory diagram illustrating
transmissivity in the alignment state of the liquid crystal
molecules.
[0035] FIG. 7 is a front view illustrating three sub-pixels of a
liquid crystal display panel according to a second embodiment.
[0036] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a rotation state of a
liquid crystal molecule in a slit-shaped opening of the liquid
crystal display panel according to the second embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0037] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be
described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described
below are just examples of a liquid crystal display panel for
embodying a technical spirit of the invention and are not intended
to limit the invention to this liquid crystal display panel.
However, the invention is similarly applicable to other embodiments
included in claims of the invention. In addition, in the drawings
used to make description in the specification, layers and
constituent elements are shown with different scales in order to
allow the layers and the constituent elements to be recognizable in
the drawings, and thus are not necessarily shown in proportion to
the actual sizes thereof.
[0038] FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating three sub-pixels of a
liquid crystal display panel according to a first embodiment. FIG.
2 is a sectional view taken along the line II-II of FIG. 1. FIG. 3
is a sectional view taken along the line III-III of FIG. 1. FIG. 4
is a sectional view taken along the line IV-IV of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is
a diagram illustrating a rotation state of a liquid crystal
molecule in a slit-shaped opening of the liquid crystal display
panel according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a front view
illustrating three sub-pixels of a liquid crystal display panel
according to a second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating
a rotation state of a liquid crystal molecule in a slit-shaped
opening of the liquid crystal display panel according to the second
embodiment.
First Embodiment
[0039] A liquid crystal display panel 10A according to the first
embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. The
liquid crystal display panel 10A includes an array substrate 12 and
a color filter substrate 13, and a liquid crystal layer 11
interposed between the array substrate 12 and the color filter
substrate 13, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Even though not
illustrated, the thickness of the liquid crystal layer 11 is
uniformly maintained by a spacer. On the rear surface of the array
substrate 12, a first polarizing plate 14 is formed. On the front
surface of the color filter substrate 13, a second polarizing plate
15 is formed. On the rear surface of the array substrate 12, a
backlight unit 16 emitting light is disposed.
[0040] First, the configuration of the array substrate 12 will be
described. The array substrate 12 includes a substrate main body 17
as a base substrate made of a material such as glass, quartz, or
plastic. On a side of the substrate main body 17 of the array
substrate 12 close to the liquid crystal layer 11, scanning lines
18 from which gate electrodes G are individually diverged extend in
an X-axis direction of FIG. 1 and a gate insulating film 19 is
formed so as to cover the gate electrodes G and the scanning lines
18. On the gate insulating film 19, individual semiconductor layers
20 formed of amorphous silicon, for example, are formed so as to be
opposed to the individual gate electrodes G. In addition, a source
electrode S and a drain electrode D are formed so as to partially
cover each of the semiconductor layers 20. The semiconductor layer
20, the gate electrode G, the source electrode S, and the drain
electrode D form a thin film transistor TFT as a switching element.
The source electrode S is diverged from a signal line 21. The
signal line 21 extends in a Y-axis direction of FIG. 1.
[0041] A passivation film 22 made of a material such as silicon
oxide or silicon nitride is formed so as to cover the semiconductor
layers 20, the sources electrodes S, and the drain electrodes D.
The passivation film 22 is covered with a resin layer 23. The resin
layer 23 is covered with lower electrodes 24 which are made of a
transparent conductive material such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) or
IZO (Indium Zinc Oxide) and individually formed in each of
sub-pixels in an independent manner. Each of contact holes 25 which
is formed through the passivation film 22 and the resin layer 23
and reaches each of the drain electrodes D. The lower electrode 24
and the drain electrode D are electrically connected to each other
through the contact hole 25. With such a configuration, the lower
electrode 24 operates as a pixel electrode in the liquid crystal
display panel 10A according to the first embodiment.
[0042] An inter-electrode insulating film 26 made of silicon oxide
or silicon nitride manufactured at a low temperature is formed so
as to cover the lower electrodes 24. Upper electrodes 27 made of a
transparent conductive material such as ITO or IZO are formed on
the surface of the inter-electrode insulating film 26 close to the
liquid crystal layer 11. The upper electrodes 27 are formed on all
the sub-pixels and operate as a counter electrode. Each of the
upper electrodes 27 includes a plurality of strip-shaped electrodes
27b formed by a plurality of slit-shaped openings 27a approximately
extending in the Y-axis direction of FIG. 1. The slit-shaped
openings 27a are formed by etching the upper electrode 27 by a
photolithographic method. The inter-electrode insulating film 26
interposed between the lower electrode 24 and the upper electrode
27 becomes a dielectric film and thus forms storage capacitance
between the lower electrode 24 and the upper electrode 27. The
upper electrodes 27 and the inter-electrode insulating film 26 is
covered with a first alignment film 28 made of polyimide, for
example. The first alignment film 28 is subjected to a rubbing
process in a predetermined direction.
[0043] Next, the color filter substrate 13 will be described. The
color filter substrate 13 includes a substrate main body 29 as a
base substrate made of a material such as glass, quartz, or
plastic. The substrate main body 29 is provided with CF (color
filter) layers 30 through which different color light (for example,
R, G, B, and non-color) pass in each of the sub-pixels and BM
(black matrix) layers 31 made of a light-shielding material. A
protective resin layer 32 is formed so as to cover the CF layers 30
and the BM layers 31. In addition, a second alignment film 33 made
of polyimide, for example, is formed so as to cover the protective
resin layer 32. The second alignment film 33 is subjected to a
rubbing process in a direction reverse to that of the first
alignment film 28.
[0044] A transmission axis of the first polarizing plate 14 of the
array substrate 12 is perpendicular to a transmission axis of the
second polarizing plate 15 of the color filter substrate 13. The
transmission axis of the second polarizing plate 15 is parallel to
the Y-axis of FIG. 1. The direction (hereinafter, referred to as "a
rubbing direction") in which the first alignment film 28 is
subjected to the rubbing process is parallel to the transmission
axis of the second polarizing plate 15. The rubbing direction of
the first alignment film 28 is a direction intersecting a main
direction of an electric field generated between the upper
electrode 27 and the lower electrode 24. The liquid crystal
molecules aligned parallel to the rubbing direction in an initial
alignment state rotate to be aligned in the main direction of the
electric field by applying a voltage between the upper electrode 27
and the lower electrode 24. Bright and dark displays of the
sub-pixels are made on the basis of a difference between the
initial alignment state and the alignment state formed at the time
of applying a voltage. In this way, a driving display of the
sub-pixels is made. Even though not illustrated, the liquid crystal
layer 11 is sealed in a sealing area formed by a sealing member
provided between the array substrate 12 and the color filter
substrate 13.
[0045] Next, the slit-shaped openings 27a of the upper electrode 27
will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 5. The
slit-shaped openings 27a extend in a vertical direction (the Y-axis
direction of FIG. 1). Each of the slit-shaped openings 27a includes
a first end portion E1, a first main portion S1, a second main
portion S2, and a second end portion E2 in communication order from
a lower direction of FIG. 5. Assuming that a clockwise direction is
a direction of a positive angle and an angle .alpha.1 is an acute
angle in 0.degree.<.alpha.1<90.degree., the first main
portion S1 extends so as to be inclined at an angle +.alpha.1 (for
example, about 5.degree. to about 15.degree.) with respect to the
rubbing direction and the second main portion S2 extends to be
inclined so as to be inclined at an angle -.alpha.1 with respect to
the rubbing direction. The first main portion SI and the second
main portion S2 communicate with each other and are bent at an
angle .beta.1=180.degree.-.alpha.1.times.2 to be formed in a "<"
shape (or a chevron shape), where the angle ".alpha.1" corresponds
to an angle ".gamma.1" in claims.
[0046] The first end portion E1 has a first straight line portion
E1a, a curve portion E1b, and a second straight line portion E1c in
the communication order in its circumference. Assuming that a
relation of .alpha.1<.alpha.2<.alpha.3<90.degree. is
satisfied, the first straight line portion E1a extends from the
inside of the "<" shape of the first main portion S1 so as to be
inclined at the angle +.alpha.2 with respect to the rubbing
direction. The second straight line portion E1c extends from the
outside of the "<" shape of the first main portion S1 so as to
be inclined at the angle +.alpha.3 with respect to the rubbing
direction. Since .alpha.2<.alpha.3, the first end portion E1
extends so as to have a tapered edge. The curve portion E1b is a
curve connecting the first straight line portion E1a to the second
straight line portion E1c. A curvature radius of the first straight
line portion E1a is smaller than a curvature radius of the second
straight line portion E1c.
[0047] Since the slit-shaped opening 27a has a substantially
line-symmetric shape, the second end portion E2 has the similar
shape as that of the first end portion E1. The first straight line
portion E2a extends from the inside of the "<" shape of the
second main portion 52 so as to be inclined at the angle -.alpha.2
with respect to the rubbing direction. The second straight line
portion E2c extends from the outside of the "<" shape of the
second main portion S2 so as to be inclined at the angle -.alpha.3
with respect to the rubbing direction. Since .alpha.2<.alpha.3,
the second end portion E2 extends so as to have a tapered edge. The
curve portion E2b is a curve connecting the first straight line
portion E2a to the second straight line portion E2c. A curvature
radius of the first straight line portion E2a is smaller than a
curvature radius of the second straight line portion E2c.
[0048] Here, a rotational direction of the liquid crystal molecules
of the liquid crystal layer 11 in the slit-shaped openings 27a will
be described. An electric field to be applied to the liquid crystal
layer 11 is generated by a potential difference between the upper
electrode 27 and the lower electrode 24 located in the slit-shaped
openings 27a. The electric field is generated so as to be
substantially parallel to the surface of the array substrate 12. A
direction of the electric field in plan view is a normal line
direction of the side of the slit-shaped opening 27a. When there is
no potential difference between the upper electrode 27 and the
lower electrode 24, that is, when the electric field is in an OFF
state, an alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules is
the rubbing direction. When the electric field is in an ON state,
the alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules is the
normal line direction of the side of the slit-shaped opening 27a.
When the electric field is changed from the OFF state to the ON
state, the liquid crystal molecules rotate in a direction in which
the rotational direction is smaller. Accordingly, when the
potential difference between the upper electrode 27 and the lower
electrode 24 is changed from the OFF state to the ON state, the
liquid crystal molecules rotate in a counterclockwise direction in
the first main portion S1 and rotate in a clockwise direction in
the second main portion S2, as show in FIG. 5.
[0049] In the first end portion El, the relation of
.alpha.1<.alpha.2<.alpha.3 is satisfied. Therefore, when the
potential difference between the upper electrode 27 and the lower
electrode 24 is changed from the OFF state to the ON state, a
rotational angle of the liquid crystal molecules in the first
straight line portion E1a and a rotational angle of the liquid
crystal molecules in the second straight line portion E1c are
smaller than a rotational angle of the liquid crystal molecules in
the first main portion S1. Since the liquid crystal molecules
rotate by the same potential difference, the liquid crystal
molecules in the first straight line portion E1a in which the
rotational angle thereof is small have a rotational force larger
than that of the liquid crystal molecules in the first main portion
S1. Accordingly, in the liquid crystal display panel 10A according
to the first embodiment, it is easy for the liquid crystal
molecules in the first straight line portion E1a to be aligned so
as to maintain the location in a direction of the electric field.
Therefore, even when the liquid crystal display panel is pressed
from the outside and thus the alignment of the liquid crystal
molecules is changed, it is easy for the liquid crystal molecules
to be aligned so as to return to the location in the direction of
the electric field. In addition, the same phenomenon also occurs in
the first straight line portion E2a and the second straight line
portion E2c of the second end portion E2.
[0050] The curve portion E1b of the first end portion E1 has an
area where an angle .alpha.4 in a direction of a tangent line with
respect to the rubbing direction is negative. In this area, the
normal line direction of a curve with respect to the rubbing
direction is a direction reverse to the normal line direction of
the first main portion S1. Therefore, the liquid crystal molecules
rotate in the direction reverse to that of the first main portion
S1. That is, since this area becomes a reverse twist domain, a
normal display cannot be made, thereby causing deterioration in an
aperture ratio. The same is applied to the curve portion E2b of the
second end portion E2. In the liquid crystal display panel 10A
according to the first embodiment, by allowing a curvature radius
to be smaller in an inside angle of the "<" shape, the length of
a curve potion in which the direction of the electric field with
respect to the rubbing direction is reverse to that of the first
main portion S1 and the second main portion S2 is made shorter than
the length of a curve portion in which the direction of the
electric field is the same. Accordingly, in the liquid crystal
display panel 10A according to the first embodiment, it is possible
to reduce the reverse twist domain in the first end portion E1 and
the second end portion E2 of the slit-shaped opening 27a.
[0051] The color sub-pixels have a vertically long shape.
Therefore, when the slit-shaped openings 27a extend in a horizontal
direction, the number of both ends of the slit-shaped openings 27a
is increased. Accordingly, in the liquid crystal display panel 10A
according to the first embodiment, a reduction in the aperture
ratio is decreased by disposing the slit-shaped openings 27a to
extend in the vertical direction (the Y-axis direction) and
decreasing the number of the end portions of the slit-shaped
openings 27a, as shown in FIG. 1.
[0052] When all the slit-shaped openings 27a are disposed in the
clockwise direction or the counterclockwise direction, the liquid
crystal molecules are twisted in one direction. For this reason, a
phenomenon that colors are varied in accordance with a viewing
angle occurs. That is because retardation is apparently varied
depending on a direction of viewing the liquid crystal molecules.
In order to reduce the phenomenon, the liquid crystal display panel
10A according to the first embodiment is provided with a domain
where the extending direction of the slit-shaped openings 27a is
inclined at the angle +.alpha.1 in the clockwise direction and a
domain where the extending direction thereof is inclined at the
angle -.alpha.1 in the clockwise direction. That is, there are
provided the plurality of domains. In the liquid crystal display
panel 10A according to the first embodiment, the two domains where
the alignment direction is different from each other are provided.
However, numerous domains where the alignment direction is
different may be additionally provided. In the liquid crystal
display panel 10A according to the first embodiment, there are
provided the domain where the extending direction of the
slit-shaped openings 27a is inclined at the angle +al and the
domain where the extending direction thereof is inclined at the
angle -.alpha.1. In this case, the angle "<" in the angles
+.alpha.1 and -.alpha.1 described above includes the completely
same angle (that is, +5.degree. and -5.degree., for example) and
also slightly different angles such as +5.degree. and -8.degree. in
consideration of manufacture deviation or the like. The same is
applied to the angles such as .alpha.2 and .alpha.3 described in
this embodiment.
[0053] In the liquid crystal display panel 10A according to the
first embodiment, the domains where the alignment direction is
different are formed by bending the slit-shaped openings 27a in the
"<" shape. Since an area which cannot normally display an image
is reduced in comparison to a case of separating the slit-shaped
openings 27a by bending the slit-shaped openings 27a in the "<"
shape in this manner, the aperture ratio can be made larger.
Moreover, as shown in FIG. 1, the signal line 21 extends so as to
be parallel to the long first main portion S1 and the long second
main portion S2 of the slit-shaped opening 27a.
[0054] Next, a relation between the slit-shaped openings 27a of the
upper electrode 27 and the BM layers 31 will be described. The
upper electrode 27 is formed across all the sub-pixels and portions
which are not illustrated by a diagonal line in FIG. 1 are the
slit-shaped openings 27a of the upper electrode 27. In addition,
hatched portions are the BM layers 31. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3,
the upper electrode 27 overlaps with the BM layer 31 in plan view.
Circumferences 27c (edges) of all the first main portions S1 and
the second main portions S2 of the slit-shaped openings 27a do not
overlap with the BM layer 31 in plan view. The BM layer 31 and the
signal line 21 are parallel to the first main portions S1 and the
second main portions S2 of the slit-shaped openings 27a.
[0055] However, the circumferences 27c of the slit-shaped openings
27a are the brightest and regions getting away from the
circumference 27c become darker Accordingly, in the liquid crystal
display panel 10 according to the first embodiment, the aperture
ratio can be improved by forming the signal line 21 and the BM
layer 31 so as to be parallel to the shape of the slit-shaped
openings 27a, since the area which cannot display an image is
reduced in comparison to a liquid crystal display panel in which
the signal line is formed so as to be parallel to the Y-axis.
Moreover, since the signal line 21 and the BM layer 31 extend to be
parallel to the edges of the slit-shaped openings 27a, a
possibility of covering the vicinities of the brightest edges of
the slit-shaped openings 27a with the signal line 21 and the BM
layer 31 is decreased even though a manufacture error of the liquid
crystal display panel 10A is taken into consideration. In
consequence, since the brightest edges of the slit-shaped openings
27a do not overlap with the BM layer 31 as a light-shielding film
and thus are not shielded from light, the liquid crystal display
panel 10A capable of realizing a bright display can be
provided.
[0056] Here, the reason that the circumferences 27c (the edges) of
the first main portion S1 and the second main portion S2 of the
slit-shaped openings 27a formed so as not to overlap with the BM
layer 31 in plan view are the brightest will be described with
reference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6A is an enlarged diagram illustrating a
part of the liquid crystal display panel 10A shown in FIG. 3 and an
explanatory diagram schematically illustrating an alignment state
of the liquid crystal molecules in a cross-section direction of the
liquid crystal layer 11 when an electric field is applied to the
liquid crystal layer 11. FIG. 6B is a plan view when FIG. 6A is
viewed from the second alignment film 33 and an explanatory diagram
schematically illustrating a plane alignment state of the liquid
crystal molecules when the electric field is applied to the liquid
crystal layer 11. FIG. 6C is an explanatory diagram illustrating
transmissivity of the upper electrode 27, the first main portion S1
or the second main portion S2 of the slit-shaped opening 27a, and
the circumference 27c (the edge) in the alignment state of the
liquid crystal molecules when the electric field is applied to the
liquid crystal layer 11.
[0057] As shown in FIG. 6A, the circumferences 27c of the upper
electrodes 27 are disposed so as to overlap with the lower
electrodes 24 in plan view. With such a configuration, in the
circumferences 27c, a uniform electric field (indicated by an arrow
A in the drawing) is generated in accordance with a voltage applied
between the upper electrode 27 and the lower electrode 24. A
horizontal-direction electric field generated along the substrate
surface of the substrate main body 29 or the like is the strongest
near the circumferences 27c, in that the electric field becomes
stronger as a space distance between the upper electrode 27 and the
lower electrode 24 is physically shorter.
[0058] In this case, as shown in FIG. 6B, liquid crystal molecules
ES of the liquid crystal layer 11 respectively rotate at angles
corresponding to the magnitudes of the electric field from the
rubbing direction (the Y-axis direction) as the initial alignment
direction to a direction which is a direction of the
horizontal-direction electric field which is almost perpendicular
to the extending direction of the circumferences 27c (the edges) of
the first main portions S1 or the second main portions S2 of the
slit-shaped openings 27a and is a direction of the
horizontal-direction electric field generated in a direction
oriented along the substrate surface. At this time, as described
above, the transversely generated electric field is the strongest
near the circumferences 27c. Accordingly, a rotational angle from
the initial alignment direction (the Y-axis direction) of the
liquid crystal molecules EB is indicated by the direction of the
electric field or a rotational angle K1 close to the direction of
the electric field near the circumferences 27c, as shown in FIG.
6B. Originally, since the horizontal-direction electric field
generated near the middle of the width of the slit-shaped opening
27a and near the middle of the width of the strip-shaped electrode
27b is weak, the alignment directions of the liquid crystal
molecules EB are indicated by a rotational angle K2 and a
rotational angle K3 smaller than the rotational angle K1. In
general, the rotational angle K2 is larger than the rotational
angle K3 in many cases.
[0059] In this embodiment, however, it is configured that the
transmissivity become the maximum when the direction in which the
rotational angle of the liquid crystal molecules ED is the largest
becomes the direction of the horizontal-direction electric field
(transverse electric field) roughly generated. In consequence, as
shown in FIG. 6C, the transmissivity of the liquid crystal display
panel 10A has the largest value in the vicinities of the
circumferences 27c where the rotational angle of the liquid crystal
molecules EB is the largest and the transmissivity of the liquid
crystal display panel 10A becomes smaller away from the vicinities
of the circumferences 27c. Accordingly, the vicinities of the
circumferences 27c are the brightest since much light transmits
through the vicinities from the backlight unit and regions getting
away from the circumferences 27c become darker. As described above,
the BM layer 31 does not overlap with the circumferences (the
edges) 27c of the brightest slit-shaped openings 27a and thus does
not shield the circumferences 27c from light, as shown in FIG. 6C.
Therefore, it is possible to provide the liquid crystal display
panel 10A capable of realizing a bright display.
[0060] In the liquid crystal display panel 10A according to the
first embodiment, parts of the end portions E1 and E2 of the
slit-shaped openings 27a where the liquid crystal molecules rotate
backward overlap with the BM layer 31 in plan view, as shown in
FIG. 1. In this way, by shielding the portions as the reverse twist
domains from light, it is possible to obtain the liquid crystal
display panel 10A capable of realizing a good display quality.
[0061] In the liquid crystal display panel 10A according to the
first embodiment, the circumference 27c of at least one slit-shaped
opening 27a of the slit-shaped openings 27a formed on the both
sides of the BM layer 31 so as to dispose the BM layer 31
therebetween in plan view may not overlap with the BM layer 31 in
plan view. With such a configuration, since at least one of the
bright areas of the circumferences 27c of the slit-shaped openings
27a of the upper electrode located on the both sides of the
light-shielding film can be prevented from being shielded from
light by the light-shielding film, it is possible to provide the
liquid crystal display panel 10A capable of realizing a bright
display.
[0062] In an actual liquid crystal display panel, a gap between the
sub-pixels is made small to enlarge a display area of the pixels in
order to realize a bright display in some cases. In this case, due
to a manufacturing cause, the width of the SM layer 31 formed
between the sub-pixels may be larger than the width of the upper
electrode 27 overlapping with the BM layer 31. Then, it is
preferable that the BM layer 31 is formed such that the
circumference 27c of at least one slit-shaped opening 27a of the
slit-shaped openings 27a formed on the both sides of the BM layer
31 does not overlap with the BM layer 31 in plan view so as to
dispose the BM layer 31 therebetween in plan view.
[0063] In general, when the width of the BM layer 31 is formed so
as to be narrower than the width of the upper electrode 27
overlapping with the BM layer 31, the BM layer 31 can be formed so
as not to overlap with the circumference 27c of one slit-shaped
opening 27a in plan view even in consideration of a manufacturing
error of the liquid crystal display panel 10A. However, when the
width of the BM layer 31 is too narrower than the width of the
upper electrode 27 overlapping with the BM layer 31, that is, the
width of the upper electrode 27 overlapping with the BM layer 31 is
too larger than the width of the BM layer 31, a region where the
transmissivity of the upper electrode 27 is lower may be increased,
as known from FIG. 6C (therefore, when the width of the upper
electrode 27 overlapping with the BM layer 31 is too larger than
the width of the BM layer 31, forming the slit-shaped opening 27a
additionally in the space is efficient in improving the
transmissivity). For this reason, it is preferable that the width
of the upper electrode 27 overlapping with the BM layer 31 is twice
or less larger than the width of the BM layer 31. Specifically,
when the width of the BM layer 31 is 6.0 .mu.m, it is preferable
that the width of the upper electrode 27 overlapping with the BM
layer 31 is 12.0 .mu.m or less and it is more preferable that the
width of the upper electrode 27 approaches the width of the BM
layer 31 as close as possible (for example, 6.1 .mu.m). In this
way, it is possible to realize a bright display efficiently.
Second Embodiment
[0064] A liquid crystal display panel 10B according to a second
embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. A
difference between the liquid crystal display panel 10A according
to the first embodiment and the liquid crystal display panel 10B
according to the second embodiment is that the slit-shaped opening
is formed in a double "<" shape, and the remaining configuration
is the same as that of the liquid crystal display panel 10A
according to the first embodiment. In the liquid crystal display
panel 10B according to the second embodiment, the same reference
numerals are given to the same constituent elements as those of the
liquid crystal display panel 10A according to the first embodiment
and detailed description is omitted. If necessary, FIGS. 2 to 4 are
referred.
[0065] When the slit-shaped openings 27a are connected to each
other, a ripple problem occurs in that domains where alignment
directions are different from each other come and go in the
connection portions. The configuration of the liquid crystal
display panel 10B according to the second embodiment makes it
possible to reduce the ripple problem. In the liquid crystal
display panel 10B according to the second embodiment, the
slit-shaped openings 41a formed in the upper electrode 41 have the
double "<" shape (or a chevron shape), as shown in FIGS. 7 and
8. Each of the slit-shaped openings 41a having the double "<"
shape includes a first end portion E1, a first main portion S3, a
third main portion S5, a fourth main portion S6, a second main
portion S4, and a second end portion E2 in communication order from
a lower direction of FIG. 8. Assuming that a clockwise direction is
a direction of a positive angle and a relation of
0.degree.<.alpha.5<.alpha.6<90.degree. is satisfied, the
first main portion S3 extends so as to be inclined at an angle
+.alpha.5 with respect to the rubbing direction, the second main
portion S4 extends so as to be inclined at an angle -.alpha.5 with
respect to the rubbing direction, the third main portion S5 extends
so as to be inclined at an angle +.alpha.6 with respect to the
rubbing direction, and the fourth main portion S3 extends so as to
be inclined at an angle -.alpha.6 with respect to the rubbing
direction. The first main portion S3 and the second main portion S4
form an angle .beta.2=180.degree.-a5.times.2 and the third main
portion S5 and the fourth main portion S6 form an angle
.beta.3=180.degree.-.alpha.6.times.2, where the angle ".alpha.5"
and ".alpha.6" correspond to an angle ".gamma.1" and ".gamma.2" in
claims, respectively.
[0066] When a potential difference between the upper electrode 41
and the lower electrode 24 (see FIGS. 2 to 4) is changed from an
OFF state to an ON state, a rotational angle of the third main
portion S5 and the fourth main portion S6 is smaller than a
rotational angle of the first main portion S3 and the second main
portion S4 due to .alpha.5<.alpha.6. Since the liquid crystal
molecules rotate in accordance with the same potential difference,
the third main portion S5 and the fourth main portion S6 of which
the rotational angle is smaller have a rotational force larger than
that of the first main portion S3 and the second main portion S4.
Accordingly, in the liquid crystal display panel 10B according to
the second embodiment, domains where the alignment directions are
different rarely come and go in the connection portion, thereby
suppressing the ripple problem.
[0067] The upper electrode 41 is formed across all the sub-pixels
and portions which are not illustrated by a diagonal line in FIG. 7
are the slit-shaped openings 41a of the upper electrode 41. In
addition, hatched portions are the BM layers 31. As shown in FIG.
7, the upper electrode 41 overlaps with the BM layer 31 in plan
view. Circumferences 41c (edges) of all the first main portions S3
to the fourth main portions S6 of the slit-shaped openings 41a do
not overlap with the SM layer 31 in plan view. Since the
circumferences 41c of the slit-shaped openings 41a are the
brightest and regions getting away from the circumferences 41c
become darker, it is possible to prevent the brightest
circumferences of the slit-shaped openings 41a from being shielded
from light by the BM layer 31. In addition, the BM layer 31 and the
signal line 42 extend parallel to the first main portion S3 to the
fourth main portion S6 of the slit-shaped openings 41a.
Accordingly, in the liquid crystal display panel 10B according to
the second embodiment, the same advantages as those obtained in the
liquid crystal display panel 10A according to the first embodiment
can be substantially obtained.
[0068] The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application Nos.
2008-249785, filed Sep. 29, 2008 and 2009-028195, Feb. 10, 2009 are
expressly incorporated by reference herein.
* * * * *